Strangleroot Geist is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Haste Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Complete guide
Strangleroot Geist is a resilient powerhouse that embodies the relentless nature of the Spirit world. With its low mana cost and aggressive keyword abilities, it often forces opponents into difficult combat decisions right from the start of the game.
Fast and Resilient
Strangleroot Geist features two key mechanics: Haste and Undying. Haste allows it to attack or use activated abilities involving the tap symbol the same turn it enters the battlefield. Undying is a triggered ability that ensures if the Geist dies while it has no +1/+1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield immediately with a +1/+1 counter, making it bigger than before.
The Resurrection Process
When Strangleroot Geist is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, the Undying ability checks its status just before it left. If it didn't have a +1/+1 counter, the ability triggers. Upon resolution, the card is moved from the graveyard back to the battlefield. Because it is a new object entering the battlefield, its Haste allows it to attack again immediately if it is your turn.
Counters and State
A common mistake is forgetting that Undying only triggers if the creature had no +1/+1 counters. If Strangleroot Geist dies a second time while it still has that +1/+1 counter from its first resurrection, it will stay in the graveyard. Additionally, if an effect removes the counter while it is on the battlefield, Undying becomes 'active' again for the next time it dies.
Interaction examples
Llanowar ElvesOn turn one, you play Llanowar Elves. On turn two, you tap a Forest and your Llanowar Elves to produce two green mana. You cast Strangleroot Geist. Because of Haste, the Geist can attack immediately for 2 damage, putting early pressure on your opponent's life total.
Birds of ParadiseIf you have Birds of Paradise on the battlefield, you can use it to help cast Strangleroot Geist. If an opponent uses a removal spell on your Geist, its Undying ability triggers. It returns as a 3/2 creature. You now have a larger attacker and your Birds of Paradise remains ready to provide mana for your next big play.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Strangleroot Geist
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Tayam, Luminous Enigma + Ashnod's Altar + Strangleroot Geist + Young Wolf
- 1Activate Ashnod's Altar twice by sacrificing Strangleroot Geist and Young Wolf, adding
. - 2Strangleroot Geist and Young Wolf's undying abilities trigger, returning both from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter and a vigilance counter.
- 3Activate Tayam by paying
, removing both counters from Young Wolf, and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, causing you to mill three cards and allowing you to return a permanent with mana value three or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. - 4Repeat.
Agatha's Soul Cauldron + Walking Ballista + Strangleroot Geist
- 1Activate Strangleroot Geist using Walking Ballista's second ability by removing a +1/+1 counter from it.
- 2Repeat step 1 until Strangleroot Geist has no +1/+1 counters on it.
- 3Resolve all Strangleroot Geist abilities dealing 1 damage to Strangleroot Geist, and any remaining damage to any target(s).
- 4Strangleroot Geist dies as a state-based action due to having 0 toughness.
- 5Strangleroot Geist's undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 6Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Cryptic Trilobite + Strangleroot Geist + Corpse Knight
- 1Activate Ghave's second ability by paying
and sacrificing Strangleroot Geist. - 2Strangleroot Geist's undying ability triggers, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 3Strangleroot Geist enters the battlefield triggering Corpse Knight, causing each opponent to lose 1 life.
- 4Resolve the Ghave ability, putting a +1/+1 counter on Cryptic Trilobite.
- 5Activate Cryptic Trilobite by removing a +1/+1 counter from it, adding that can only be spent to activate abilities.
- 6Activate Ghave's first ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 7The Saproling token enters the battlfield triggering Corpse Knight, causing each opponent to lose 1 life.
- 8Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Cryptic Trilobite + Strangleroot Geist + Blood Artist
- 1Activate Ghave's second ability by paying and sacrificing Strangleroot Geist.
- 2Blood Artist and Strangleroot Geist's undying ability trigger.
- 3Resove the Blood Artist trigger, causing a player to lose 1 life and causing you to gain 1 life.
- 4Resolve Strangleroot Geist's undying ability, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 5Resolve the Ghave ability, putting a +1/+1 counter on Cryptic Trilobite.
- 6Activate Cryptic Trilobite by removing a +1/+1 counter from it, adding that can only be spent to activate abilities.
- 7Activate Ghave's first ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 8Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Cryptic Trilobite + Strangleroot Geist + Zulaport Cutthroat
- 1Activate Ghave's second ability by paying and sacrificing Strangleroot Geist.
- 2Zulaport Cutthroat and Strangleroot Geist's undying ability trigger.
- 3Resove the Zulaport Cutthroat trigger, causing each opponent to lose 1 life and causing you to gain 1 life.
- 4Resolve Strangleroot Geist's undying ability, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 5Resolve the Ghave ability, putting a +1/+1 counter on Cryptic Trilobite.
- 6Activate Cryptic Trilobite by removing a +1/+1 counter from it, adding that can only be spent to activate abilities.
- 7Activate Ghave's first ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 8Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Phyrexian Altar + Strangleroot Geist + Blood Artist
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Strangleroot Geist, adding .
- 2Strangleroot Geist's undying ability and Blood Artist trigger.
- 3Resolve the Strangleroot Geist undying trigger, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Blood Artist trigger, causing a player to lose 1 life and you to gain 1 life.
- 5Activate Ghave's first ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 6Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Phyrexian Altar + Strangleroot Geist + Corpse Knight
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Strangleroot Geist, adding .
- 2Strangleroot Geist's undying triggers, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 3Strangleroot Geist enters the battlefield triggering Corpse Knight, causing each opponent to lose 1 life.
- 4Activate Ghave's second ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 5The Saproling token enters the battlefield triggering Corpse Knight, causing each opponent to lose 1 life.
- 6Repeat.
Ghave, Guru of Spores + Phyrexian Altar + Strangleroot Geist + Zulaport Cutthroat
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Strangleroot Geist, adding .
- 2Strangleroot Geist's undying ability and Zulaport Cutthroat trigger.
- 3Resolve the Strangleroot Geist undying trigger, returning Strangleroot Geist from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Zulaport Cutthroat trigger, causing each opponent to lose 1 life and you to gain 1 life.
- 5Activate Ghave's first ability by paying and removing a +1/+1 counter from Strangleroot Geist, creating a 1/1 Saproling creature token.
- 6Repeat.
Legal formats
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